In today’s era of instantaneous news, mudslinging has risen to previously unseen levels. Business executives like Justine Sacco and Brendan Eich are beholden to Twitter mobs who hold no legal jurisdiction over them. Information regarding the latest news event cascades through social media channels, overwhelming someone who seeks to remain informed. Instead of informing, such data ends up further entrenching viewpoints. People hear and think what they wish.

How to extricate oneself from such endless feedback loops is a tricky question at an individual level. Unplugging only leads to ignorance, as no one has the time for original source research. On an institutional level, constant image management is a must.

Read more on the problem with wishful ideas here…

Read the article “Wishful Ideas Have Consequences, Too” on valuesandcapitalism.com.